I've been meaning to update but I sorta didn't write the last scene until months after the rest of the chapter… This update will be in celebration of me completing my first exam XD

The Witch of the North

Rina sighed blissfully as she sank into the steaming bath prepared for her. She had almost forgotten what it was like to experience the comforts of home, her visits to Imladris had grown few and far between and in the Wild, a bath usually consisted of wading into a river and washing out as much dirt and grime as you could before any other creatures stumbled across you..

She reached over to the side of the stone tub where there were three glass vials, all containing a liquid the amber colour of honey. One was to cleanse the body and the other two were used to wash, soften and untangle the hair. Opening the first vial, she caught the scent of honeysuckle and smiled. Emlin had remembered her favoured scent.

She made quick work of rubbing it over her limbs, running over faded lines where wounds had once been. Her usual attire covered as much skin as possible, no one could see how much her lifestyle had taken its toll. In truth, Rina could place his hand anywhere on her body and wouldn't be able to come away with it without touching a scar.

Multiple arrow wounds, cuts and lacerations running so deep she would of died ten times over if not for the Healing Houses of Lord Elrond. By the end of the journey, she would no doubt have even more.

She just hoped everyone would still be in one piece.

No pork.

No steak.

No chicken.

No fish.

No chips.

This was disappointing. The music played by the tall, raven-haired musicians while they dined was also strange to them. Usually, their dinner was accompanied by boisterous laughter, fast-paced music and rowdy songs. What could be heard right now was soft and soothing. It was . . . tame in a way. But despite the lack of meat and loud music, no dwarf would turn away a free dinner –green and Elvish as it was.

Gandalf thanked Lord Elrond for inviting them to dinner as they sat down. Elrond took his place at the head of the table with Gandalf on his right and Thorin at his left.

Rina swept into the room shortly after, clad once again in her usual outfit with Emlin trailing behind her, ready to assist in case the ranger was still weak from the overuse of magic. "Enjoying the food, boys?" she asked, sitting at the other end of the table. She suspected they were disappointed in the lack of meat, making a mental note to remedy that later on.

"You could say tha' " Bofur answered from her right, "There's wine at least."

His words were met by a chorus of laughter.

Elrond shook his head, a ghost of a smile playing at his lips. After taking a sip from his own cup, he began to examine the three fine swords the Company had brought with them.

Rina plucked a raspberry from a nearby bowl. She savoured the sweet and sour taste for a moment, then her eyes darted around, checking that no one was paying her much attention before taking six more, as well as a cluster of blueberries and two strawberries.

Only Fili noticed the growing pile of berries on her plate. He laughed, accidentally elbowing his brother. Kili almost chocked on his wine as he felt the blow to his gut. He glared at the blond. Fili merely gestured to the woman. "Rina, why not just take the whole bowl?" he jested.

Rina huffed at Fli's remark, looking down at her plate. Berries were her favourite, was that such a bad thing? She glanced up and saw Kili smiling at her. She felt a fluttering in her stomach and her faces grow hot. Rina glanced away and sipped from her wine goblet, trying to hide the red that was no doubt dusting her cheeks. With the sky pink from the setting sun, hopefully it wouldn't be too noticeable.

Halfway through dinner, two more figures entered the room, it was Rina who first noticed them as they had come from the direction which she faced. "Elladan, Elrohir, how rare it is to see you here."

The Company paused their feasting to turn towards the strangers now standing at Elrond's right side, by Gandalf. The number of weapons the pair possessed unnerved them. Ori's brow furrowed. He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing double.

The first one smirked. "Bold words coming from you, Rina, who is far more elusive than we are."

Rina smiled. "Aye, so I am, Elladan, so I am."

Gandalf's laughter broke the unease that the dwarves felt. They looked at the wizard in curiosity before their gaze was drawn back to the elves. "My dear, you surprise me. So alike they are, the sons of Elrond, few can tell them apart!"

"I wonder why." Kili whispered sarcastically to his brother, though no doubt the others heard him.

Both were dark-haired, grey-eyed and their faces were elven-fair, clad in bright mail underneath the silver-grey of their clothes. For those who just met them, there really was nothing that could tell one from the other.

Rina shrugged. "Elrohir is less quick to retort." She ignored said elf's half-hearted glare in favour of eating the last currants,

"My sons, what news do you bring?" Elrond questioned.

The twins exchanged looks. It was Elrohir who now spoke. "We received word from the Dunedain patrolling the Ettenmoors. . ." Rina leaned forward, intrigued as Elrohir continued." The Orc Chieftains have been restless. We have come across more than one tribes' hunting party. The nature of these hunting parties is also strange. . ."

Elladan picked up where his brother left off. ". . . The orcs are relentless, almost fearful when we fight them. During the skirmishes they always attempt to send out a warg scout, as if reporting to someone. They are hunting something, or someone, and they are desperate to find them. "

Shortly afterwards, Elrond and Gandalf left the table to discuss the new the twins had brought them. Rina excused herself soon after, claiming that there things that required her attention.

To rid themselves of the grim mood, the Company took advantage of the pavilion they resided in. Soon enough, Bombur had a fire going strong and was cooking the left over meat they had. The others eagerly waited for the food to cook, the fruits and vegetables they had been served earlier weren't as filling as sausages or mutton.

Bilbo was minding his own business, examining 'Sting' as Rina had called it when he was dragged into a conversation with Fili and Kili regarding the Elves.

"I don't understand why Thorin hates them so much." Bilbo shot a look towards their leader, who was silently conversing Balin. "They seem nice enough."

"Though how they can stand to live without meat is beyond me." Fili shook his head. "But they're not as hostile as uncle made them out to be."

"On the contrary, they were quite welcoming." Kili agreed. "They treated Rina too."

Bilbo hummed in thought. "Strange isn't it? That Rina seems so welcome amongst them?"

Fili and Bilbo focused their attention on Kili, who looked from one to another. "What?" he asked.

"How much do you actually know about her?"

Kili opened his mouth to speak, and then closed it again. How much did he know? All he knew was her name, she is a ranger, could use magic and cause the weather to change if she wasn't careful. He hardly knew anymore about her than any of the others.

"She. . .she said she had been raised here, for a time. Which is why she knows the Elves so well and even has an Elvish name like Gandalf."

That was all he knew that the others didn't.

Bilbo wrung his hands together. "How long do Rangers live for anyway? I remember Gandalf had said that their lives were three times that of mortal men, and I know that Elves can forever, Dwarves long life times too if I remember correct."

Fili nodded. "Elves are immortal and we dwarves have an average life span of about two hundred and fifty years."

"Two hundred and fifty?!" Bilbo echoed, gobsmacked by the life spans of his friend.

"Aye, though Kili and myself have yet to reach our hundredth year."

"B-but. . .nevermind."

"We brought supplies~!" A surprisingly loud voiced announced, followed by a childish giggle. Estel ran into the pavilion, astoundingly not falling flat on his face with the size of the bag he was carrying.

Rina came in behind him, also carrying a full pack. "Estel, take the meat to Bombur would you? The one by the fire." She made her way over to Oin , laying out herbs and ointments to replenish his stores. "Vervain, ginger, valerian root, I have none with me but Athelas –Kingsfoil- is useful…"

Estel did as the older ranger instructed and held his bag out to the plump, red-haired dwarf closest to the fire. "Um, Rina mentioned you were running low on meat, so mother asked me to give you these…"

Bombur smiled kindly at the boy and inspected the contents of the bag, announcing all of his finds. "Rabit, venison, pheasant, partridge...AHA!" Bombur exclaimed in glee, startling Estel. "Salted pork! Bless ya' laddie!"

Estel grinned as he was enveloped in a bone-crushing hug. When his feet were planted firmly back on the ground, he searched the company for Kili. Locating him conversing with another dwarf and a, a small human-elf hybrid? (The man had pointed ears) he quickly checked to make sure Rina was still occupied; sure enough she was still discussing herbs with the group's healer. Seeing an opportunity, he took it.

"Kili!" Estel took a running start and launched himself at the familiar dwarf. "Spar with me!Now!"

Kili looked down at the by clinging to his side, then back up at Bilbo and his brother, completely at loss at what to do. He was offered shrugs and grins in return, both finding the situation very amusing. It wasn't every day that a youngster would demand to spar with a dwarf.

The confused dwarf attempted to catch Rina's attention in hopes that she would know how to proceed. He was certain she noticed what was going on, but simply smiled, acted completely oblivious and carried on her talk with Oin.

'Evil!' Kili sighed in resignation."Fine, but only for a moment." He took a blunted sword –one he had meant to sharpen- just as Estel charged forward, a dagger already drawn. Taken by surprise at the ferocity of the 'attack' Kili's step faltered leaving him open for a short moment. He was quick to recover and soon retaliated.

Nori, Gloin and Dwalin joined Fili and Bilbo watched the pair as they moved about the pavilion, manoeuvring through their camp. Dwalin was quick to notice that Kili was hesitant to aim a blow at the boy and stuck to blocking more than hitting, though now and then he humoured Estel with a few feints and half hearted jabs.

It was Bofur who called to say that it was time to stop now, saying it was high time they stop. "Rest now an' call it a night."

A slow clap came from Rina's direction. She strode over and ruffled Estel's hair, throwing a smug smirk in Kili's direction. "Told you he was strong"

"Indeed"

Rina was startled when Lord Elrond announced his arrival with a single word. With him was Thorin, who then brushed past the Elven lord to rejoin his kin. He wanted no part in the a matter that didn't concern him.

Elrond turned his attention to Estel. "The evening grows cold, Estel, it is time you to rest, child." Though said with fondness, it was a clear dismissal.

Estel knew this, "Good night, please take care." He said, offering them a respectful nod before exiting the pavilion.

Rina had a bad feeling as Estel's footsteps faded from hearing range. She had long since learned to read Lord Elrond's emotions, even though few showed on his face. He was in a grim and solemn mood, meaning there was something he would rather not say to her, but had no choice.

"Rina, I'm afraid I cannot allow you to travel with the Company any longer."

I promise I will make up for the rushed ending with a ton of fluff in the next chapter. I'm serious, the next chapter will literally just be fluff . It will probably be a short chapter though. Oh well, it'll still be fluffy.

~MidnightRaven323